A lively, stylish Italian small-plates restaurant with excellent pasta and pizzette, though tight table times, occasional uneven cooking, and a few service lapses can undermine the experience.
Pici delivers solid food quality anchored by fresh pasta and rich sauces that earn consistent praise, but inconsistency in pasta doneness, seasoning and temperature prevents a stronger grade. Service remains attentive and friendly across most visits, while the cosy Broad Street setting with open kitchen appeals to city-centre diners seeking reliable Italian small plates.
Pici is a compact, stylish Broad Street restaurant that leans into buzz rather than hushed trattoria calm. Reviews paint a warm room, open-kitchen theatre and an energetic crowd; one diner summed up the appeal as a place with “just the right amount of busy.” Book ahead, and expect the possibility of a downstairs table or a brisker rhythm at peak times. The cooking is contemporary Italian small plates: fresh pasta, pizzette, wood-fired dishes and playful combinations such as hot honey with fritti or mutton ragu with crispy capers. Cacio e pepe, garlic pizzette, tiramisu and mutton ragu attract the strongest repeat praise, while a minority of diners report salty pasta, uneven doneness, oily fritti or chewy seafood. It suits diners who enjoy sharing and trying several things, rather than anyone expecting one large, leisurely bowl of pasta. Families are welcome and the menu includes familiar choices such as spaghetti pomodoro, cacio e pepe, garlic pizzette, ice cream and tiramisu, with several vegetarian and some vegan-labelled options. However, there is no clearly identified children’s menu, the room can be loud, and the creative toppings may not suit cautious young eaters. For children, order a simple pizzette or pasta early and confirm any dietary substitutions with staff.
Area vibe: Vibrant city-centre area known for shopping, nightlife, and dining.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit in evenings though typical city-centre street-level theft can occur; stay aware at night.
What's nearby: Near Old Market Square, Nottingham Playhouse, shopping streets, tram stops and clustered restaurants and bars.
Build a meal around the garlic pizzette, cacio e pepe, mutton ragu, and tiramisu, but plan to order several plates.
Expect a lively, sometimes noisy small-plates meal with possible wait or time pressure, creative rather than traditional dishes, and occasional consistency issues.
Expect open-kitchen theatre and a stylish, energetic room that trades quiet trattoria calm for a buzzier evening.